The lady you are seeing here is a student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State.
Her name is Joy Nkanang. She has been suspended “indefinitely” from the school for allegedly calling the university vice chancellor ‘foolish’ on Facebook.
Joy, was in her second year in the department of performing arts before her suspension on May 9.
2weeks ago, precisely May 5, she made the following post on Facebook:
“AKSU what is happening? A dry cleaners shop was robbed last night along college road….”
Her post was about the increase in cult activities and insecurity around the university campus which the university has failed to act upon non curtailed.
The post attracted some comments, including one Facebook user calling for a protest against insecurity in the university.
In response to the facebook user’s comment calling for a protest, Joy responded “No…. we don’t want to spoil the schools image…. foolish VC”
The university’s attention was drawn to her “foolish vc” comment which the authority, in the suspension letter, described as “gross misconduct” and a “breach of matriculation oath”.
Joy Nkanang remain suspended from studies and barred from entering the campus until the conclusion of investigation on her case, the university said.
The suspension letter, signed by the school registrar, said joy Nkanang admitted before a meeting with university officials that she did call the vice chancellor foolish.
But a source who witnessed the meeting proceedings said the student was not allowed to make any comment when she appeared before the officials.
“They just asked her where she’s from in Akwa Ibom and who her father is.
“At the end of the meeting, they told her she is dismissed from school. She knelt down and begged, but nobody listened to her,”
The source said. Quoting what was reported by Premium times.
My Questions now are as follows:
- Has the University done well with this action?
- Is the University fair enough with Joy Nkanang?
- Is this action of the University against Joy conform with the principle of Natural Justice?
- Would she have been suspended like this if she happened to be a daughter of an high ranked profile politician or personality in the society? Imagine them asking her where she hails from and the name of her Father? What a question!
This young lady raised a very serious issues bordering on security of lives and properties within the University campus, but this was totally ignored only for them to capitalize only on the word “foolish?” In her post.
When are we going to start holding our leaders across board who had failed in their responsibilities responsible in this country?
Now, before you start telling me i am defending Joy for calling the VC “Foolish”, Let us all remember the fact that those who fought for the freedom we are all enjoying today never achieved them on a platter of gold.
Our own Gani Fahiwehmi, Dele Giwa and Fela are a very good example. We all knew what they did during the military junta before this so called Democracy.
They fought against the forces of dictatorialism, Injustices, parochialism and tyranny with the last drop of their blood.
Today we are all enjoying the freedom and liberty of their rigorous efforts.
We talked about Martin Luther King Jr today, we talked about the likes of Mandela and the likes, these are African revolutionaries who fought the whites and other world power that gave birth to the freedom and liberty we are all enjoying today.
I knew all these people said more than the word “Foolish” said by Joy.
The last time i checked, Respect is not legislated. It’s not forced on people. It is earned. You don’t demand for it.
One day, we will be alright in this country. I hope it won’t just be too late. I did hope.
Bye for now…
Abolayo Afiz Mosope
19/05/19.